Tracer including zinc oxide quantum dots embedded in silica
A composition includes a continuous phase, a silica nanoparticle, methyl groups, and a quantum dot. The continuous phase includes ethanol or water. The silica nanoparticle has a diameter of less than 100 nanometers. The methyl groups are disposed on a surface of the silica nanoparticle. The quantum dot includes zinc oxide. The quantum dot is embedded in the silica nanoparticle.
1. A method, comprising:
obtaining a tracer fluid by:
dispersing a quantum dot comprising zinc oxide in ethanol to form a first colloidal dispersion;
mixing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide with water to form a micelle solution;
mixing the first colloidal dispersion with the micelle solution to form a second mixture;
mixing the second mixture with a solution comprising sodium hydroxide to form a third mixture;
mixing the third mixture with ethyl acetate to form a fourth mixture;
mixing the fourth mixture with tetraethylorthosilicate, dimethyldiethoxysilane, or a combination of both to form a fifth mixture; and
stirring the fifth mixture to form a silica nanoparticle having a diameter of less than 100 nanometers;
wherein a plurality of methyl groups are disposed on a surface of the silica nanoparticle; and
wherein the quantum dot comprising zinc oxide is embedded in the silica nanoparticle;
introducing the tracer fluid to a subterranean formation; and
tracking the tracer fluid within the subterranean formation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein tracking the tracer fluid comprises measuring a luminescence of the quantum dot embedded in the silica nanoparticle while the tracer fluid is within the subterranean formation.
3. The method of claim 1 , comprising forming the quantum dot comprising zinc oxide by:
dissolving zinc acetate dihydrate in ethanol to form a first solution;
mixing lithium hydroxide with the first solution to form a first mixture; and
stirring the first mixture to form zinc oxide quantum dots.
4. The method of claim 3 , comprising:
separating the zinc oxide quantum dots from a remaining portion of the first mixture.